Integrated antenna structure

ABSTRACT

An integrated antenna structure includes a frame, a circuit board, at least one antenna radiator, a support plate, a battery, and at least one metal sheet. The frame surrounds and defines an accommodation space. The circuit board is disposed in the accommodation space. The antenna radiator includes a body and a plurality of platforms. The body is disposed on the frame by using nano molding technology (NMT) and at least partially surrounds the accommodation space. The platforms are connected to the body and protrude toward the accommodation space. The platforms are configured to electrically connect to the circuit board respectively. The support plate is disposed in the accommodation space. The metal sheet is at least partially disposed on a surface of the support plate and extends along an edge of the support plate. One end of the metal sheet is electrically connected to the circuit board.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Application Serial Number110204069 filed Apr. 14, 2021, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an integrated antenna structure.

Description of Related Art

With the improvement of the quality of people's lives, electronicproducts have become an indispensable part of people's lives, and thedemand of people for electronic products is also increasing. In thisregard, the industry continues to devote to enhancing and improving theefficiency of electronic products. For example, with the diversificationof functions of electronic products, types of signal reception have alsoincreased. Therefore, an antenna structure in an electronic product hasbecome a research and development focus in the industry.

However, since people also require the electronic product to have alightweight and slim profile, how to miniaturize the electronic productwhile enhancing the efficiency of the antenna structure is undoubtedlyan important development direction in the industry.

SUMMARY

One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide anintegrated antenna structure, which can achieve miniaturization whileenhancing the efficiency of the signal receiving function.

According to an implementation of the present disclosure, an integratedantenna structure includes a frame, a circuit board, at least one firstantenna radiator, a support plate, a battery, and at least one metalsheet. The frame surrounds and defines an accommodation space, and thecircuit board is disposed in the accommodation space. The first antennaradiator includes a first body and a plurality of first platforms. Thefirst body is disposed on the frame by using a nano molding technology(NMT) and at least partially surrounds the accommodation space. Thefirst platforms are connected to the first body and protrude toward theaccommodation space. The first platforms are configured to beelectrically connected to the circuit board respectively. The supportplate is disposed in the accommodation space. The metal sheet is atleast partially disposed on a surface of the support plate and extendsalong an edge of the support plate. One end of the metal sheet iselectrically connected to the circuit board.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the metalsheet is disposed on the surface of the support plate by using laserdirect structuring (LDS).

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the frameincludes an annular portion and a plurality of separation portions. Theannular portion has a first side and a second side opposite to eachother. The separation portions are disposed on the first side. The firstbody is disposed on the first side and is connected between two adjacentseparation portions.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the integratedantenna structure further includes at least one second antenna radiator.The second antenna radiator includes a second body and a plurality ofsecond platforms. The second body is disposed on the first side by usingthe NMT and is connected between two adjacent separation portions. Thesecond body at least partially surrounds the accommodation space and isopposite to the first body. The second platforms are connected to thesecond body and protrude toward the accommodation space. The secondplatforms are configured to be electrically connected to the circuitboard respectively.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the circuitboard includes a mainboard and a plurality of first elastic pieces. Themainboard has a first surface and a second surface opposite to eachother. The first elastic pieces are disposed on the first surface. Thefirst platforms, the second platforms, and the metal sheet areelectrically connected to the corresponding first elastic piecesrespectively.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the circuitboard includes a plurality of second elastic pieces, and the secondelastic pieces are disposed on the second surface. The integratedantenna structure further includes at least one third antenna radiator.The third antenna radiator includes a third body and a plurality ofthird platforms. The third body is disposed on the second side by usingthe NMT and surrounds the accommodation space. The third platforms areconnected to the third body and protrude toward the accommodation space.The third platforms are configured to be electrically connected to thecorresponding second elastic pieces respectively.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the third bodyis ring-shaped.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the integratedantenna structure further includes a housing. The housing abuts againstone side of the third body away from the frame, to seal theaccommodation space.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the integratedantenna structure further includes a display screen. The display screenabuts against the separation portions, and sides of the first antennaradiator and the second antenna radiator respectively away from theannular portion, to seal the accommodation space.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, a center ofthe annular portion and the separation portions are arranged in line.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the integratedantenna structure further includes a plurality of the metal sheets.

In one or more implementations of the present disclosure, the integratedantenna structure further includes a battery, the support plate has athrough hole, and the battery is at least partially disposed in thethrough hole.

The foregoing implementations of the present disclosure have at leastthe following advantages: The integrated antenna structure includes anantenna disposed on the support plate by using the LDS and a pluralityof antennas connected to the frame by using the NMT, and the supportplate is disposed in the accommodation space of the frame. Therefore,the integrated antenna structure can include a plurality of differentantennas in a limited volume, so that the integrated antenna structurecan achieve miniaturization while enhancing the signal receivingfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of an integrated antennastructure according to an implementation of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the integrated antenna structure of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the integrated antenna structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the integrated antennastructure of FIG. 1 , where a display screen is omitted;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the integrated antennastructure of FIG. 1 , where a display screen and a support plate areomitted;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 9 is a schematic three-dimensional bottom view of a circuit boardof FIG. 3 . and

FIG. 10 is a schematic three-dimensional view of an integrated antennastructure according to another implementation of the present disclosure,where a display screen is omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A plurality of implementations of the present disclosure is disclosed inthe following drawings. For clear description, many practical detailsare described in the following descriptions. However, it should beunderstood that the practical details should not be intended to limitthe present disclosure. That is, in some implementations of the presentdisclosure, the practical details are not mandatory. In addition, tosimplify the drawings, some conventional structures and elements areshown in a simple schematic manner in the drawings, and the samereference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements inall of the drawings. In addition, if possible in implementation,features of different embodiments can be applied interactively.

Unless otherwise defined, all words (including technical and scientificterms) used in the present specification have respective usual meanings,and the meanings can be understood by those familiar with the field.Further, the definitions of the foregoing words in commonly useddictionaries should be interpreted in the content of the presentspecification as meanings consistent with those in the field related tothe present disclosure. Unless specifically defined, the words are notinterpreted as idealized or overly formal meanings.

Refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 . FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional viewof an integrated antenna structure 100 according to an implementation ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the integrated antennastructure 100 of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the integratedantenna structure 100 of FIG. 1 . In this implementation, as shown inFIG. 1 to FIG. 3 , the integrated antenna structure 100 includes a frame110, a circuit board 120, at least one first antenna radiator 130, asupport plate 140, and a battery 150. The frame 110 surrounds anddefines an accommodation space AS, and the circuit board 120 is disposedin the accommodation space AS. The first antenna radiator 130 includes afirst body 131 and a plurality of first platforms 132. The first body131 of the first antenna radiator 130 is disposed on the frame 110 andat least partially surrounds the accommodation space AS. The firstplatforms 132 of the first antenna radiator 130 are connected to thefirst body 131 and protrude toward the accommodation space AS.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 , the frame 110 includes anannular portion 111 and a plurality of separation portions 112. Theannular portion 111 of the frame 110 has a first side 1111 and a secondside 1112 opposite to each other. The separation portions 112 aredisposed on the first side 1111 of the annular portion 111. The firstbody 131 of the first antenna radiator 130 is disposed on the first side1111 of the annular portion 111 and is connected between two adjacentseparation portions 112. In practical applications, a material of theframe 110 is plastic, a material of the first antenna radiator 130 ismetal, and the first antenna radiator 130 is integrated to the frame 110by using a nano molding technology (NMT). That is, the first body 131 ofthe first antenna radiator 130 is connected between the separationportions 112 and is disposed on the first side 1111 of the annularportion 111.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 , the integrated antennastructure 100 further includes a display screen 195. The display screen195 abuts against the separation portions 112 and one side of the firstantenna radiator 130 away from the annular portion 111, to seal theaccommodation space AS.

Refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 . FIG. 4 is a schematic three-dimensionalview of the integrated antenna structure 100 of FIG. 1 , where thedisplay screen 195 is omitted. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line A-A in FIG. 4 . In this implementation, as shown in FIG. 4and FIG. 5 , the support plate 140 is disposed in the accommodationspace AS, and the battery 150 is disposed on the support plate 140. Morespecifically, the support plate 140 has a through hole HT, and thebattery 150 is at least partially disposed in the through hole HT.Further, the integrated antenna structure 100 includes at least onemetal sheet 160, and the metal sheet 160 is at least partially disposedon a surface 140 s of the support plate 140 and extends along an edge140 e of the support plate 140. In practical applications, the metalsheet 160 is disposed on the surface 140 s of the support plate 140 byusing laser direct structuring (LDS).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 , the circuit board 120includes a mainboard 121 and a plurality of first elastic pieces 122.The mainboard 121 has a first surface 1211 and a second surface 1212opposite to each other. The first elastic pieces 122 are disposed on thefirst surface 1211 of the mainboard 121. In this implementation, one endof the metal sheet 160 is electrically connected to one first elasticpiece 122 of the circuit board 120, and this first elastic piece 122 isused as a feeding point. In this case, the metal sheet 160 becomes a setof antennas and performs a signal receiving function.

Refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 . FIG. 6 is a schematic three-dimensionalview of the integrated antenna structure 100 of FIG. 1 , where thedisplay screen 195 and the support plate 140 are omitted. FIG. 7 is across-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 6 . In thisimplementation, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the first platforms 132of the first antenna radiator 130 are electrically connected to twofirst elastic pieces 122 of the circuit board 120. One of the firstelastic pieces 122 is used as a feeding point, and the other firstelastic piece 122 is used as a grounding point. In this case, the firstantenna radiator 130 becomes another set of antennas and performs thesignal receiving function. In another implementation, the groundingpoint may be omitted according to actual situations, that is, the firstantenna radiator 130 is electrically connected to only one first elasticpiece 122.

As described above, in this implementation, the integrated antennastructure 100 includes an antenna (that is, the metal sheet 160)disposed on the support plate 140 by using the LDS, and an antenna (thatis, the first antenna radiator 130) connected to the frame 110 by usingthe NMT, and the support plate 140 is disposed in the accommodationspace AS of the frame 110. Therefore, the integrated antenna structure100 can include two different antennas in a limited volume, so that theintegrated antenna structure 100 can achieve miniaturization whileenhancing the signal receiving function.

Refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 , and FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 is a cross-sectionalview taken along line C-C in FIG. 6 . Further, as shown in FIG. 1 toFIG. 6 , and FIG. 8 , the integrated antenna structure 100 furtherincludes at least one second antenna radiator 170. The second antennaradiator 170 includes a second body 171 and a plurality of secondplatforms 172. The second body 171 of the second antenna radiator 170 isdisposed on the first side 1111 of the annular portion 111 and isconnected between two adjacent separation portions 112. The second body171 at least partially surrounds the accommodation space AS and isopposite to the first body 131 of the first antenna radiator 130. Thesecond platforms 172 of the second antenna radiator 170 are connected tothe second body 171 and protrude toward the accommodation space AS. Thedisplay screen 195 abuts against the separation portions 112, and sidesof the first antenna radiator 130 and the second antenna radiator 170respectively away from the annular portion 111, to seal theaccommodation space AS.

Similarly, a material of the second antenna radiator 170 is also metal,and the second antenna radiator 170 is also integrated to the frame 110by using the NMT. That is, the second body 171 of the second antennaradiator 170 is connected between the separation portions 112 and isdisposed on the first side 1111 of the annular portion 111.

In this implementation, as shown in FIG. 8 , the second platforms 172 ofthe second antenna radiator 170 are electrically connected to anothertwo first elastic pieces 122 of the circuit board 120. One of the firstelastic pieces 122 is used as a feeding point, and the other firstelastic piece 122 is used as a grounding point. In this case, the secondantenna radiator 170 also becomes another set of antennas and performsthe signal receiving function. In another implementation, the groundingpoint may be omitted according to actual situations, that is, the secondantenna radiator 170 is electrically connected to only one first elasticpiece 122.

In practical applications, for example, as shown in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 ,and FIG. 6 , a center of the annular portion 111 and the separationportions 112 are arranged in line. In other words, shapes of the firstbody 131 of the first antenna radiator 130 and the second body 171 ofthe second antenna radiator 170 may be mirror-symmetrical, but thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto.

Refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 . FIG. 9 is a schematic three-dimensionalbottom view of the circuit board 120 of FIG. 3 . In this implementation,as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , the circuit board 120 includes aplurality of second elastic pieces 123. The second elastic pieces 123are disposed on the second surface 1212 of the mainboard 121. As shownin FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 , the integrated antenna structure 100 furtherincludes at least one third antenna radiator 180. The third antennaradiator 180 includes a third body 181 and a plurality of thirdplatforms 182. The third body 181 of the third antenna radiator 180 isdisposed on the second side 1112 of the annular portion 111 andsurrounds the accommodation space AS. The third platforms 182 of thethird antenna radiator 180 are connected to the third body 181 andprotrude toward the accommodation space AS. In practical applications,for example, the third body 181 of the third antenna radiator 180 isring-shaped.

Similarly, a material of the third antenna radiator 180 is also metal,and the third antenna radiator 180 is also integrated to the frame 110by using the NMT. That is, the third body 181 of the third antennaradiator 180 is disposed on the second side 1112 of the annular portion111.

In this implementation, as shown in FIG. 8 , the third platforms 182 ofthe third antenna radiator 180 are electrically connected to two secondelastic pieces 123 of the circuit board 120. One of the second elasticpieces 123 is used as a feeding point, and the other second elasticpiece 123 is used as a grounding point. In this case, the third antennaradiator 180 also becomes another set of antennas and performs thesignal receiving function. In another implementation, the groundingpoint may be omitted according to actual situations, that is, the thirdantenna radiator 180 is electrically connected to only one secondelastic piece 123.

As described above, in this implementation, the integrated antennastructure 100 includes an antenna (that is, the metal sheet 160)disposed on the support plate 140 by using the LDS, and a plurality ofantennas (that is, the first antenna radiator 130, the second antennaradiator 170, and the third antenna radiator 180) connected to the frame110 by using the NMT, and the support plate 140 is disposed in theaccommodation space AS of the frame 110. Therefore, the integratedantenna structure 100 can include a plurality of different antennas in alimited volume, so that the integrated antenna structure 100 can achieveminiaturization while enhancing the signal receiving function.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 , FIG. 5 , FIG. 7 , and FIG. 8, the integrated antenna structure 100 further includes a housing 190.The housing 190 abuts against one side of the third body 181 of thethird antenna radiator 180 away from the frame 110, to seal theaccommodation space AS. In practical applications, the housing 190 maybe made of a non-metal material. Therefore, when the integrated antennastructure 100 is applied to a wearable electronic product, the housing190 may be used to abut against a human body, and prevent the firstantenna radiator 130, the second antenna radiator 170, and the thirdantenna radiator 180 from entering into direct contact with the humanbody to affect the signal receiving efficiency of the integrated antennastructure 100.

Refer to FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 is a schematic three-dimensional view of anintegrated antenna structure 100 according to another implementation ofthe present disclosure, where the display screen 195 is omitted. In thisimplementation, according to actual situations, there may be a pluralityof metal sheets 160. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , there are twometal sheets 160, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides ofthe support plate 140. In this way, the quantity of antennas in theintegrated antenna structure 100 can be further increased.

Based on the above, the technical solutions disclosed in the foregoingimplementations of the present disclosure have at least the followingadvantages: The integrated antenna structure includes an antennadisposed on the support plate by using the LDS and a plurality ofantennas connected to the frame by using the NMT, and the support plateis disposed in the accommodation space of the frame. Therefore, theintegrated antenna structure can include a plurality of differentantennas in a limited volume, so that the integrated antenna structurecan achieve miniaturization while enhancing the signal receivingfunction.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated antenna structure, comprising: aframe, surrounding and defining an accommodation space, the framecomprising an annular portion and a plurality of separation portions,the annular portion having a first side and a second side opposite toeach other, the separation portions being disposed on the first side; acircuit board, disposed in the accommodation space; at least one firstantenna radiator, comprising a first body and a plurality of firstplatforms, wherein the first body is disposed on the first side by usinga nano molding technology (NMT) and is connected between two adjacentseparation portions, the first body at least partially surrounds theaccommodation space, the first platforms are connected to the first bodyand protrude toward the accommodation space, and the first platforms areconfigured to be electrically connected to the circuit boardrespectively; a support plate, disposed in the accommodation space; abattery, disposed on the support plate; and at least one metal sheet, atleast partially disposed on a surface of the support plate and extendingalong an edge of the support plate, wherein one end of the metal sheetis electrically connected to the circuit board.
 2. The integratedantenna structure according to claim 1, wherein the metal sheet isdisposed on the surface of the support plate by using laser directstructuring (LDS).
 3. The integrated antenna structure according toclaim 1, further comprising: at least one second antenna radiator,comprising a second body and a plurality of second platforms, whereinthe second body is disposed on the first side by using the NMT and isconnected between two adjacent separation portions, the second body atleast partially surrounds the accommodation space and is opposite to thefirst body, the second platforms are connected to the second body andprotrude toward the accommodation space, and the second platforms areconfigured to be electrically connected to the circuit boardrespectively.
 4. The integrated antenna structure according to claim 3,wherein the circuit board comprises a mainboard and a plurality of firstelastic pieces, the mainboard has a first surface and a second surfaceopposite to each other, the first elastic pieces are disposed on thefirst surface, and the first platforms, the second platforms, and themetal sheet are electrically connected to the corresponding firstelastic pieces respectively.
 5. The integrated antenna structureaccording to claim 4, wherein the circuit board comprises a plurality ofsecond elastic pieces, the second elastic pieces are disposed on thesecond surface, and the integrated antenna structure further comprises:at least one third antenna radiator, comprising a third body and aplurality of third platforms, wherein the third body is disposed on thesecond side by using the NMT and surrounds the accommodation space, thethird platforms are connected to the third body and protrude toward theaccommodation space, and the third platforms are configured to beelectrically connected to the corresponding second elastic piecesrespectively.
 6. The integrated antenna structure according to claim 5,wherein the third body is ring-shaped.
 7. The integrated antennastructure according to claim 5, further comprising: a housing, abuttingagainst one side of the third body away from the frame, to seal theaccommodation space.
 8. The integrated antenna structure according toclaim 3, further comprising: a display screen, abutting against theseparation portions, and sides of the first antenna radiator and thesecond antenna radiator respectively away from the annular portion, toseal the accommodation space.
 9. The integrated antenna structureaccording to claim 1, wherein a center of the annular portion and theseparation portions are arranged in line.
 10. The integrated antennastructure according to claim 1, wherein the integrated antenna structurehas a plurality of the metal sheets.
 11. The integrated antennastructure according to claim 1, wherein the support plate has a throughhole, and the battery is at least partially disposed in the throughhole.